But heads of state and government at yesterday’s Brussels summit (23 March) backed away from setting goals for reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases for 2050.

Germany, Austria and Italy opposed setting such long-term targets on curbing climate change for economic reasons. Germany’s environment minister, leading Green Party figure Jürgen Trittin, backed a recommendation from the Council of Ministers earlier this month that emissions from rich countries should fall by 80% within the next 45 years, when compared to 1990 levels. But Chancellor Gerhard Schröder resisted signing up to that goal at this stage.

Matthias Duwe from the Climate Action Network Europe said it was unfortunate that the three member states took their stance to “please the national business interests”. But, he described the declaration issued as “landmark”.

The Union supports the goal of keeping the rise in global temperatures within 2°C of pre-industrial levels. This is in keeping with the 1992 UN convention on climate change. The leaders also endorsed the goal of a 30% emission cut by 2020, compared to 1990 levels.